We were lucky to catch up with Clorissa Wright recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Clorissa, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
Honestly, I learned how to do what I do by living it—fully. I have a degree in Design and Merchandising, which gave me a strong foundation in aesthetics, trend forecasting, and the business of fashion. But I knew early on that I wanted to be more than just a creative—I wanted to lead creativity. That’s when I started stacking my skillset like building blocks. I earned a social media marketing certificate from NC State, then later took an incredible course in Creative Direction taught by top-tier professionals at Leo Burnett. That experience was a game-changer. It showed me how much creative energy goes into campaigns that move people—and sell products. Ever since, I’ve made it a point to never stop learning. I’m constantly studying the culture, watching industry trends, analyzing campaigns, and listening to what people are really responding to.
If I could go back and speed up the process? Whew—I would’ve been more decisive in the beginning. I spent some time dabbling, second-guessing, trying to fit into roles that weren’t quite “me.” If I had committed earlier to creative direction and brand consulting, and started taking on more personal projects sooner, I think I would’ve fast-tracked my growth. That said, I truly believe every twist in the journey gave me insight and depth I now bring into every project.
As for essential skills—vision, storytelling, and emotional intelligence have been everything. Being a great creative isn’t just about making things look good—it’s about knowing how to connect, inspire, and communicate an idea in a way that sticks. You need to be able to see the big picture and obsess over the details. Also, project management and communication skills don’t get enough love, but they’re clutch when you’re leading teams or guiding clients.
Biggest obstacles? Definitely self-doubt and access. When you don’t see people who look like you in the rooms you want to be in, it can make you question your place. And early in my journey, I didn’t always have access to the right networks or mentors. But I got resourceful. I learned how to pitch myself, build relationships, and create my own opportunities. That scrappiness still fuels me today.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Absolutely! I’m a freelance creative consultant and art director specializing in helping beauty and fashion brands look, feel, and show up as elevated as they truly are. I work primarily with small, emerging brands—especially those led by women or underrepresented voices—who deserve bold, thoughtful, high-impact visuals and strategies that match the energy of their vision.
Through my consulting work, I offer everything from marketing campaign direction and packaging design to brand storytelling and social content strategy. Whether I’m styling a shoot, building a concept deck, or refining the visual identity of a product line—I make sure every piece of the brand experience feels intentional and premium.
One of my proudest moments? Working on influencer marketing for Savage X Fenty. It felt surreal because back in 2017, I worked behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week as a production assistant for Rihanna’s Fenty Puma show. To go from assisting in the background to having a seat at the strategy table years later—it was a reminder of how far I’ve come and how this work really is a journey.
That evolution also speaks to the core problem I help my clients solve: how to move from idea to execution with clarity and impact. So many small brands have the vision, but they don’t always have the tools or team to translate it into something that can compete at a high level. That’s where I come in. I help connect the dots creatively and strategically to elevate their brand presence in a real, tangible way.
What sets me apart is my eye for detail and my ability to see both the art and the function in everything. I blend aesthetics with purpose—because it’s not just about looking good, it’s about creating something that works, resonates, and lasts.
Right now, I’m proud to be building the foundation for what will eventually be a full-service creative agency. But even as a solo consultant, the work I do is deeply collaborative, intentional, and personal. I truly care about the brands I work with, and I want my clients and followers to know that behind every creative concept is a genuine desire to see them win.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is turning vision into reality—taking something that started as a spark in someone’s mind and shaping it into a story that can be seen, felt, and experienced by the world. There’s something deeply fulfilling about knowing I helped bring a brand’s essence to life visually—whether it’s through a striking campaign, a packaging concept that stops people in their tracks, or an entire brand refresh that finally makes them feel seen.
It’s also the connection. Being a creative means I get to tap into emotion, culture, identity, and intention—all at once. I get to create work that moves people, empowers them, or even helps them see themselves in a new light. That kind of impact is what keeps me going.
And honestly? There’s magic in being able to say, “I made that.” Not out of ego, but out of pride. Pride that I trusted my taste, my instincts, my eye—and that it resonated. Being a creative is not always glamorous, but the reward comes in those quiet moments when you realize you’ve helped someone, or something, feel more aligned, more expressed, and more seen than ever before.
That’s the kind of work I live for.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was constantly seeking advice or validation before making a move. I used to ask people what they thought, how they would do it, or if I was “doing it right”—as if there was some universal blueprint to follow. But what I learned, very quickly, was that the path I’m on doesn’t exist yet. I’m creating it in real time.
There’s no rulebook for building a creative career that’s as fluid, layered, and personal as mine. And the more I tried to crowdsource direction, the more disconnected I felt from my own instincts. Don’t get me wrong—mentorship and community are beautiful things—but there’s a difference between gaining perspective and outsourcing your power.
I had to get comfortable trusting my voice. My ideas. My way of doing things. Because the truth is, innovation doesn’t come from following the crowd—it comes from deciding to lead, even when the road ahead is still foggy.
Once I embraced that, everything shifted. My confidence grew, my work got bolder, and the clients who were meant for me started finding me. That’s when I realized: sometimes the biggest unlock is realizing you’re not here to follow footsteps—you’re here to make your own. 👽
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